Kiratharjuneeyam 2 - Kerala Mural Archive

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: full panel view

Detail Photos

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 1 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 2 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 3 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 4 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 5 of 6

Chemmanthatta, CMT_P016 — Shiva and Arjuna: detail view 6 of 6

Deity: Arjuna Deity: Shiva Location: Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple Theme: Mahabharata

Green-skinned Arjuna; wearing a red upper garment and a green lower garment; hands raised in Anjali mudra; wearing a crown, necklaces, anklets, armlets, bangles and rings; Second part of the panel has the same Arjuna, one hand raised in Vyakhyana mudra; looking at Shiva; Shiva is bearded, yellow-skinned, wearing a green upper jacket and a green lower garment; holding a bow in his hand and pointing to something on the floor; Arjuna is also holding a bow in his hand; Shiva as Kirata has a crown decorated with peacock feathers. There is Parvati standing near him; green-skinned; with peacock feather crown. She is holding a stick in her hand and a woven basket near her. She is wearing clothes made of leaves. She wears necklaces, bangles, earrings, and anklets. In the backdrop, there are several trees. Each of the trees have a bird sitting on it. On the tree to the upper left, there is a monkey also sitting on it. The lower right portion of the panel is damaged.

Narrative

Textual Source: Mahabharata
Mythological Tale: As the Pandavas lost the game of dice and was asked to dwell in the forest, Arjuna performed penance to please Lord Shiva. In order to test his devotion and get rid of his arrogance of being the best archer in the world, Shiva took the form of Kirata or forest-dweller and Parvati accompanied him. Shiva then started an argument with Arjuna over who shot the wild boar. An enraged Asura challenged Shiva to a battle of archery, which later progressed into fist fight. Even after several attempts, Arjuna could not defeat the Kirata Shiva. So he started to pray to Shiva by building a small Shivalingam. However, all the offerings placed at the feet of the Shivalingam would fall to the feet of the Kirata Shiva. In the end, Arjuna realized that it was indeed Shiva in the guise of Kirata trying to test him. As soon as he comes to this realization, Shiva and Parvati transform to their original form and granted him the Pashupatastra (arrow) weapon.
Episode: Kiratharjuneeyam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 2 out of 8

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva and Arjuna
Secondary Figures: Parvathi; Parvathi
Iconographic Form: Kiratharjuneeyam
Iconographic Attributes: This panel has two parts. To the right, there is Arjuna standing in a meditative pose, praying to Lord Shiva. In the right, the same Arjuna is holding his hands in a Vyakhyana mudra, trying to explain to the kirata that he is the one who shot the wild boar. Shiva, as kirata, stands near him with a peacock crown and a bow in his hands. He is also pointing to the boar, laying claim to it. There is Parvati standing behind him. She is green-skinned and has a peacock feather crown. She also wears jewelry like necklaces, earrings, anklets, and bangles. She is also wearing a lower garment made of leaves. Shiva is yellow-skinned and has a mustache and beard. He is also having a sword or knife in his waistband. Arjuna is also seen holding a bow in his hand. There are several trees behind them. There are different types of birds sitting on the trees, as well as a monkey in one of the trees. A portion of the panel at the lower right side is missing.
Visual & Formal Features: Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Veera

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 16
Adjacent Panels: Kiratharjuneeyam 1, Kiratharjuneeyam 3

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Poor
Deterioration Type: Plaster loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 05/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: CMT_P016
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.